Help save the lives of people in your community by donating regularly. Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. If you have any questions or concerns about your eligibility to donate blood, contact your donation center. Wait 3 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. There are some restrictions on who can donate blood, and you may be wondering can I donate blood if I'm taking medication? Do not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV. More information about the FDA policy is available for LGBTQ+ donors. Some key points: The use of cannabis does not disqualify an individual from blood donation, but potential donors cannot give if their use of cannabis impairs their memory or comprehension. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. If you have treated yourself for genital herpes and it recurs, then seek retreatment as soon as possible. Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, pneumonia, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. If you have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, wait more than 120 days after your symptoms resolve to donate. Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Is Brilinta a blood thinner or antiplatelet? Medications - While taking some medications means you can't donate, most are ok. Heres an overview of when its OK to donate blood: Still not sure if youre eligible to donate blood? Many people mistakenly believe that having a tattoo means it is not possible to donate blood. In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. 25 ways to protect yourself from illness. This is because the antibodies you develop from the viral infection are different from those you develop after youve had the vaccine. Double red cell donation takes about 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. FAQ on Blood Donation during Covid -1 - linkedin.com Wait at least 6 months after a change in your heart condition that resulted in a change to your medications. Blood donation is a simple act that can save lives. Plus Other Guidelines for Donation, The Best Foods to Eat Before Donating Blood, Why Its Safe to Receive Blood from Donors Whove Been Vaccinated for COVID-19, any lesions or infected cold sores are dry and healed or close to healed, you wait at least 48 hours after finishing a round of antiviral treatments. Convalescent plasma contains antibodies that your body builds after a viral infection to fight off the illness. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies bymaking a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding donation, call the NIH Blood Bank at (301) 496-1048. Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine. You are not eligible to donate if you have ever had Ebola virus infection or disease. We encourage you to make an appointment to donate blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program to help overcome the severe blood shortage. Your gift enables the Red Cross to ensure an ongoing blood supply, provide humanitarian support to families in need and prepare communities by teaching lifesaving skills. No. Cosmetic tattoos (including microblading of eyebrows only) applied in a licensed establishment in a regulated state using sterile needles and ink that is not reused is acceptable. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Acceptable as long as the instruments used were single-use equipment and disposable (which means both the gun and the earring cassette were disposable). 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. There are other ways to give. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood: Unable to Give Blood? Common medications that may interact with valacyclovir include: Alcohol should be avoided while taking valacyclovir because it weakens the immune system and may exacerbate the side effects of valacyclovir. Learn how transfusion reactions occur and how to minimize. Apheresis takes up to two hours, which is longer than it takes to donate whole blood. New donors must donate plasma within 6 months before a donation can be used. Malaria is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes found in certain countries and can be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. Even if you can't donate now, you may be able to do so in the future. Wait 3 months after the last dose of any oral medications taken to prevent HIV infection [also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)]- Truvada (Tenofovir), Descovy (emtricitabine), Tivicay (dolutegravir) and Isentress (raltegravir) are oral medications given for exposure to HIV. Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. Only healthy people should donate blood, Doctors says, blood banks will accept a donation 24 hours after cold symptoms have passed. Just as with blood donation, you dont have to wait to give platelets or plasma after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine as long as you know the vaccine manufacturer. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. If you have not been vaccinated or it has been less than 4 weeks since being vaccinated, wait 4 weeks from the date of the vaccination or exposure before donating. Who can donate blood? Donation criteria and factors that affect them Most medications do not prevent you from donating blood. The inventory of donated blood must be constantly replenished. It may take up to three days before a reduction in symptoms occurs. You may still be able to donate whole blood. It's common to be nervous about donating blood if you've never done it before. Consider volunteering,or hosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Can I Donate If? | Clinical Center Home Page Individualson oral contraceptives or using other forms of birth control are eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. How long does it take for Brilinta to work? Generally, donors must: Some donation centers have additional medical, travel, and lifestyle considerations. Donating Blood & Platelets: Medications That May Delay Your Donation Will Giving Blood Reduce My COVID-19 Antibodies? Make your tax-deductible gift today, and be a part of cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine as it's known today. Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. If you take these drugs and donate blood, you may experience excessive bleeding and bruising. Forbes added that donating blood after getting a shot will not impact the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people with diabetes who take insulin or oral medications for diabetes management. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. A simple blood donation can save the life of a child with leukemia, restore the strength of a cancer patient or provide a critical transfusion to an accident victim. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and many of them are spread during oral, anal, or genital sex. Medically reviewed by Carmen Fookes, BPharm. The Blood Donor Program welcomes regular and repeat healthy donors so that it has a steady blood supply for people in need. You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities. According to the eligibility guidelines set by the FDA, if you qualify to donate blood, in most cases, you can do it any time after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine. All rights reserved. Select one or more newsletters to continue. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. Non-living animal tissues such as bone, tendon, or heart valves are acceptable. Eligible 16-year-olds can donate blood in Minnesota. Double red cell donors may donate as often as every 168 days. Come prepared to your donation process with your travel details when you donate. You may be eligible to donate, depending on your condition. Taking certain medications may exclude you from donating blood, platelets or plasma. The short answer is maybe. Although valacyclovir treats viruses, it is not effective against the flu or the common cold. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. Still not sure if you can donate blood because of another limitation or condition? Select the title or plus symbol below to view content. You have not donated blood in the past 56 days. Discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. But the benefits of donating blood arent, Discover whether you can donate blood if you have a tattoo. Best started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset. You must wait 3 days after taking Effient (prasugrel) before donating platelets by apheresis. Platelets are small, tiny cell fragments that form clots to stop you from bleeding. For example, you can donate platelets every 7 days for up to 24 times a year, and you need to be at least 17 years old. The following tables list common medications that may prevent you from donating, at least temporarily. Arixtra (fondaparinux), Fragmin (dalteparin), Eliquis (apixaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran),Savaysa (edoxaban), Xarelto (rivaroxaban),and Lovenox (enoxaparin) are also prescription blood thinners- Do not donate since your blood will not clot normally. Acceptable if you meet all eligibility criteria and donation intervals. Donation Intervals Donor Deferral for Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM) Ebola Virus Heart Disease Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder Hemochromatosis (Hereditary) Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count Hepatitis, Jaundice Hepatitis Exposure HIV, AIDS Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Hypertension, High Blood Pressure Immunization, Vaccination Who can give blood? - World Health Organization Do not give blood if at any time you received HIV treatment also known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). Please tell us if you: In one 2018 study, researchers . If you meet all eligibility criteria below, please schedule your appointment today to transform the lives of patients in need. How long do I have to take Brilinta after a stent or heart attack? Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Platelet, double red cell and plasma donations, Authorization to Release Protected Health Information, Read more about the national blood shortage. Theyll be able to test your blood for any of these conditions, help you navigate the process for donating blood, and walk you through any guidelines for how often and how much blood you can give. A tattoo is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. We'll be happy to see you 24 hours after your symptoms pass. But only 3% of age-eligible people donate blood each year. The blood you donate will be tested for bloodborne diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV. Anticoagulants Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. Rarely, may affect the kidneys or cause a bleeding disorder. A donor with an acute infection can not donate. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. DOI: Red Cross frequently asked questions page, clinicalcenter.nih.gov/blooddonor/can_i_donate.html, vitalant.org/donate/donor-eligibility.aspx, transfusionguidelines.org/dsg/wb/guidelines/he025-herpes-simplex, givingblood.org/donate-blood/who-can-donate.aspx, Can You Donate Blood If You Have a Tattoo? Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation. In Florida you can donate whole blood every 56 days, at minimum. Hepatitis B Immune Globulin given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis. Valacyclovir is an antiviral prodrug that is rapidly converted into acyclovir inside the body. People with diabetes can donate blood if they meet certain eligibility requirements. You can download thetravel form and bring it with you to help in the assessment of your travel. There is no risk of contracting COVID-19 from a blood, A transfusion reaction is when your body has an adverse response to a blood transfusion. Blood donation - Mayo Clinic If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you can not donate. Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations. You can also help peoplefacing emergencies by making a financial donationto support the Red Crosss greatest needs. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes and varicella-zoster viruses, such as genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. These high-risk groups include: Your medical record is viewed only as needed by Mayo Clinic Blood Program nurses and physicians. In many cases, the answer is. If you dont know which company manufactured your vaccine, youll need to wait 2 weeks before you can donate blood. Can You Donate Plasma if You Are Taking Antibiotics? - DoNotPay Herpes Simplex, Mucocutaneous/Immunocompetent Host, https://www.drugs.com/pro/valacyclovir.html. Certain medications may delay your ability to donate blood. Donation is acceptable after routine teeth cleaning or dental work. Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations. Treatment may last from one to 14 days depending on the condition being treated and the immunocompetency of the person being treated. Treatment may last from one to 14 days depending on the condition being treated and the immunocompetency of the person being treated. Contact the blood donor center or your doctor if you: Get our free e-newsletter to stay up to date on the latest health information from experts at Mayo Clinic. This makes it more convenient for people to take. It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection. Those who have had infection with Babesiosis can donate if it has been 2 years or more since the diagnosis or positive test if donating in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin or Washington, D.C. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. Donated platelets can be stored for use for as long as five days. Wait 3 months if a piercing was performed using a reusable gun or any reusable instrument. General eligibility criteria. Blood typing is a test that determines a persons blood type, and it's key if you need a blood transfusion or are planning to donate blood. If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation. Yes. Smoking before your . Find out how you can get involved by becoming a volunteer or peer leader - organizing a high-school blood donation events - by emailing us at feedback@blood.ca or calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use valacyclovir only for the indication prescribed.